Miss Ark. County Rice set for April

All persons ages 16 to 19 years of age are invited to participate in this annual event, which will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, April 8, at the Arkansas County Extension Office at 1009 Liberty Drive in DeWitt.

In an effort to bring about a better appreciation of the rice industry in Arkansas County, contestants are urged to participate in the annual Miss Arkansas County Rice contest.

All persons ages 16 to 19 years of age are invited to participate in this annual event, which will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, April 8, at the Arkansas County Extension Office at 1009 Liberty Drive in DeWitt.

"Local businesses and organizations are urged to sponsor contestants," Alta Lockley, secretary of Arkansas County Office of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and 4-H Program Assistant, said.

Lockley said any person, who resides in Arkansas County, is enrolled in school and is 16 years of age during the 2012-2013 school year and no more than 19 years of age is eligible to participate.

"Miss Arkansas County Rice will represent our county in the state contest in August," Lockley said. "The state contest will be held in Brinkley."

Each contestant should bring to the contest a typewritten copy of their rice recipe; a finished rice dish for judging; and a three to five minute oral presentation summarizing preparation of the dish and/or the importance of rice in the county.

"The are no microwave recipes allowed," Lockley said. "The deadline for entry for Miss Arkansas County Rice is Monday, April 1."

The contestants will be judged on palatability of the dish, recipe, appearance of the product, appearance and self-reliance of the contestant and the oral presentation.

Stephanie Palmerin, last year’s Miss Arkansas County Rice, will crown the winner, who will receive a number of prizes, along with the crown and title.

The purpose of the contest is to focus the attention of the general public of Arkansas on the importance of the rice industry to the economy of the state and to promote interest in rice cookery and rice promotion among the youth in rice producing areas of Arkansas.

For more information or to enter the contest, contact the extension office at (870) 673-2346 or (870) 946-3231.